Chapter 45

Mother and Comfort had already disappeared, eager to see old friends and make new acquaintances. I couldn’t think of any friends besides Curtis from my years in the castle, and surely he would be attending to Aria or else managing a large group of giggling girls, intent on meeting a prince, any prince. I was surprised at how relatively few girls were there. It was still crowded, and I recognized many people from my village, but it seemed to only be a couple hundred people in the castle, far fewer than every maiden in the kingdom.

I meandered along the perimeter of the room, listening to the orchestra, and watching all the dancing couples. I saw the king and queen, greeting an endless queue of people. I idly picked up a plate of grapes, cheese and pastries, and nibbled at the refreshments as I watched couples whirl by.

“Miss Truly?” a voice called behind me. I turned, and to my surprise found one of my former languages students, now a good foot and a half taller than when I saw him last. I only barely recognized him.

“Archie, is that you?” I asked incredulously. It looked like he was coming for a hug, but I wasn’t sure if we were going to hug or shake hands, and we ended up shaking hands at uncomfortably close quarters.

Fortunately, that was as awkward as it got. Archie, it transpired, had gone on to fill my seat as a court linguist. “All thanks to you and your endless patience during my boyhood!” he joked jovially.

There was no envy; I was genuinely glad for his success. I inquired about his family and travels as a delegate.

“How did you like the Avivian palace when you first saw it?” I asked, wondering if he had the same level of awe that I still recollected so well.

“Breathtaking!” he said fervently. “I never knew such beauty could exist in a building.”

“And how is your sister? Anastasia, right?”

He nodded. “She is very well, thank you. She still talks fondly of the day she helped you and Prince Curtis dig a pit, camouflaged it, and lured Prince Hubert into it.”

I laughed. I remembered that day too. “Give her my best wishes.”

“I beg your pardon?” The music was loud, and it was difficult to hear each other.

“I said, give her my best wishes!”

“I will!” Archie inclined his head to a door. “May we continue our conversation in the halls?”

I followed him, glad to have a reason to escape from the noise and crowd of people, most of whom were staring pointedly away from me and my ugly face.

“I heard Hubert broke his engagement to Aria,” I pressed when we were out in the halls. In truth, I now felt more like the pupil as Archie strode beside me, anxious as I was for the information he had.

“It was a mutual decision to part ways,” Archie said smoothly. I smiled inwardly, reminding myself of all the times I had to adjust my speech to make the ugly affair of royalty lives seem more glamorous and glossed over.

“So, an unmitigated disaster then?” I grinned.

“Ah, Lady Truly, you are wise beyond your years!” Archie chuckled. “Our country’s crown prince and Crown Princess Aria are… not soul mates.”

I laughed out loud at this point, and pitied whatever girl Hubert did end up marrying one day, if he did get married at all. ‘Although,’ I thought to myself, ‘there is many a girl who wouldn’t care what her husband was like, so long as she was queen.’ I shuddered to think of a marriage like that. After seeing my parents so in love for all my childhood, I was in no rush to marry anyone who wasn’t a perfect fit. A best friend.

I was just about to ask Archie about Curtis and Aria, but an official looking man with a curly beard stepped into the hall and caught sight of us. He looked down his nose to me, then turned, dismissing me from what he had to say to Archie, “Pardon my interruption, but His Majesty, the King requires your assistance.” Archie inclined his head in thanks, suddenly much more business-like and grown up.

“Excuse me, Lady Truly, but I must take my leave.”

I curtsied, and then strolled away down the corridor. I wasn’t eager to rush back into the ballroom. I didn’t want to be a shadow to Mother or Comfort, both of whom would be thoroughly enjoying this rare night of socializing. I wanted a mirror to check on my cosmetics, to be absolutely sure they were hiding my scars. I wondered if Cynthia had arrived yet, if she had managed to find a coachman able to drive her. I should search for Curtis and get the apology over quickly, but now I felt like I was losing my nerve.

The halls were chilly, and I folded my arms tightly across my chest. How could the castle be so cold when it was a warm summer night? Deciding to forgo the gloomy interior of the castle, I instead turned out into a quiet courtyard. The fresh air blew gently, and scent of the nearby rose gardens refreshed me, wiping away my anxiety. I could still hear the music of the orchestra, but it was faint, a soft background to the singing of birds and chirping of crickets. I sat on a stone bench, kicking off Comfort’s tight, fashionable shoes and stretched out my large feet luxuriously. The moon softly glowed and stars were beginning to pop into existence. I felt more relaxed right then than I could recall ever being before.

I wondered what Mother and Comfort were doing. Entertaining large groups of people, undoubtedly, with their charm and wit and beautiful faces. I wondered if the rumors were true, and this was indeed a ball planned so that Hubert could choose a bride. Then memories began returning, just as they had when our carriage had entered the castle grounds. So many good memories from my childhood and adolescence had happened here.

Nearby, a figure passing a lit window caught my eye. Could it be?

I stood up to get a better look. “Curtis?” I whispered softly to myself. Then louder, unable to stop myself, “Curtis!”

The figure halted, then turned. With the light behind him, it was difficult to see his face, but he began walking slowly towards me. “Truly?” he asked, incredulously. “Is that you?”